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Increased serum interferon alpha in HIV–1 associated lipodystrophy syndrome
Author(s) -
Christeff N.,
Melchior J.C.,
De Truchis P.,
Perronne C.,
Gougeon M.L.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
european journal of clinical investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.164
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1365-2362
pISSN - 0014-2972
DOI - 10.1046/j.0014-2972.2001.00940.x
Subject(s) - medicine , endocrinology , lipodystrophy , apolipoprotein b , cholesterol , cytokine , alpha (finance) , alpha interferon , immunology , interferon , viral load , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , antiretroviral therapy , construct validity , nursing , patient satisfaction
Background A syndrome of lipodystrophy (LD) associated with peripheral lipoatrophy and central/visceral adiposity has been reported in HIV‐1‐infected patients treated by combined antiretroviral therapy (ART). Lipid metabolism is partly regulated by both steroid hormones and cytokines and we have previously reported that dyslipidaemia in LD‐positive men is correlated to an increase in cortisol : DHEA ratio (Christeff et al. , AIDS 1999;13:2251). In this study we questioned whether it is also related to cytokine perturbations. Materials and Methods A cross‐sectional study was performed on 42 HIV‐1‐positive men on ART, 27 of whom had symptoms of LD, defined by computed tomography scan. Serum cytokines (IFN‐α, TNF‐α, sTNF‐RI, sTNF‐RII, IL‐6, IL‐1β and IL‐2) and lipids [cholesterol, triglycerides (TG) and their subclasses], and apolipoproteins (Apo), were determined. Results Serum IFN‐α was markedly increased in LD‐positive compared with LD‐negative men and controls. IL‐6 and TNF‐α concentrations were also significantly elevated in HIV‐positive men compared to controls but the levels of these cytokines did not differ between the two groups of patients. A significant positive correlation was found between accumulation of IFN‐α and increased levels of cholesterol, TG, VLDL cholesterol, VLDL TG, ApoB and ApoB–ApoA1 ratio. A multivariate forward‐performed analysis revealed that IFN‐α is the best marker for lipid perturbations associated to LD, followed by insulin and cortisol : DHEA ratio. Conclusions This study demonstrates an association between serum IFN‐α and lipid alterations in LD‐positive men. The concomittant action of IFN‐α and cortisol : DHEA ratio is probably one of the mechanisms responsible for hyperlipidaemia in LD syndrome.